Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ1، β2، and β3) are 25 kDa disulfide-linked homodimers that regulate many aspects of cellular functions، consist of proliferation، differentiation، adhesion and extracellular matrix formation. TGFβs mediate their biological activities by binding of growth factor ligand to two related، functionally distinct، single-pass transmembrane receptor kinases، known as the TGFβ type I and type II receptors. The high affinity of type II TGFβ receptor to TGFβ 1 and TGFβ 3 makes it a potent and specific inhibitor for TGFβ related studies. In this study، we designed a recombinant construct including a part of the extracellular domain of type II TGFβ receptor (amino acids 38 – 159) which functionally was active according to previous crystallography studies. The recombinant protein was efficiently (30 µg per 106 Sf21 cells) produced in Sf21 insect cells which were transfected by recombinant baculovirus. The recombinant protein was purified based on the presence of His-tag sequence using Ni-NTA agarose.

Viral myocarditis is a moderate disease، but it sometimes causes progressive cardiac disorder. Many different viruses have been considered as the agent of viral myocarditis، but Coxsackievirus of the B group، in particular of the Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)، is more than fifty percent of cases of viral myocarditis. CVB3 is a positive single-stranded RNA virus and a member of the genus Enterovirus and it is most commonly causing of human viral myocarditis or human acute، especially in young patients. The goal of this study is a comparison of three molecular methods included RT-PCR، NASBA and RT-LAMP for detection of CVB3. For this purpose، the primer explorer V4 software was used for designing of specific primers. Total RNA extracted from CVB3-infected HeLa cell line after 24 hours and stored in -80 oC since using as the template in RT-LAMP، NASBA، and RT-PCR assays. Then، for evaluated of the sensitivity of these methods، serial dilution of total RNA was performed. The result of this study showed that the sensitivity of RT-LAMP، NASBA، and RT-PCR were 0.1، 10 and 10 pg، respectively. Based on the results that obtained in this study، the RT-LAMP assay was highest sensitive than RT-PCR and NASBA techniques for detection of CVB3 infection.

Nonstroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen have been shown to decrease the growth of cancer cells. Owning to the involvement of microRNAs in development of cancer، the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on the expression level of some microRNAs including hsa-miR-4290، hsa-miR-22 and hsa-Let-7b in MKN-45 cells. First، the growth inhibitory effect of ibuprofen on MKN-45 was evaluated using MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. Second، the gene expression level of micoRNAs was evaluated using real-time PCR. Time- and dose-dependent proliferation reduction was seen in MKN-45 gastric cancer cells treated with ibuprofen. Results showed that ibuprofen treatment increased the expression level of miR-4290، miR-22 and Let-7 by 2.14، 57.8 and 1.58 folds، respectively، relative to control MKN-45 cells. Results clearly highlighted the fact that miR-22 plays a critical role in growth inhibition of ibuprofen treated MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. Therefore، we concluded that overexpression of these mi

The efficacy of gamma irradiation is well versed as a method of decontamination for food and herbal resources. In the present study، Cichorium intybus L. roots were irradiated at multiple doses of 1، 2، 4، 6، 8 and 10 kGy by a cobalt-60 irradiator. The irradiated and non-irradiated control samples were evaluated for total phenolic contents، chlorogenic acid assay، 2،2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging properties، ferric reducing power assay and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed that radiation treatment at dose levels of 1، 2 and 10 kGy showed no effects on chlorogenic acid contents، antibacterial activities and scavenging properties. On the other hand، radiation treatment at dose levels of 4، 6 and 8 kGy significantly increased chlorogenic acid contents، antibacterial activities and scavenging properties. Similarly، no effects were observed on the antibacterial activities at radiation dose levels of 1، 2 and 10 kGy، while samples irradiated at 4، 6 and 8 kGy showed significant rise in the antibacterial activities against E.coli. Further، significant ،rise in the phenolic contents was recorded at 4، 6 and 8 kGy radiation doses. On the contrary، phenolic contents showed decrease at dose level of 10 kGy. The present study concluded that gamma ray has strong potential to stimulate antioxidant as well as antibacterial activities of Cichorium intybus L.

Cinnamaldehyde is an important compound of the cinnamon essential oil، and it is responsible for the most of the health benefits of cinnamon. Enriching foods such as milk with cinnamaldehyde can lead to greater utilization of cinnamaldehyde properties. In this study، we investigated the interaction of cinnamaldehyde with bovine alpha-lactalbumin. Analyzing the spectrum of alpha-lactalbumin in the presence of different concentrations of cinnamaldehyde by ultraviolet-visible، fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that cinnamaldehyde is capable to bind to alpha-lactalbumin without changing its secondary structure. Conformational change in alpha-lactalbumin induced by interaction with cinnamaldehyde and the number of binding sites and binding constant were 1.1 and 5.88 * 105 M−1، respectively. The molecular docking results showed one binding site which most of its interactions are hydrophobic. The ability of cinnamaldehyde to bind to alpha-lactalbumin suggests that alpha-lactalbumin can be used as a suitable vehicle for cinnamaldehyde especially for fortification of milk.

Erythropoietin (EPO) can increase cell maintenance during different damages of central nervous system as a strong cell protector. However، studies displayed that brain-blood barrier prevents the entrance of large proteins similar to EPO (30.4kD) into the brain. The goal of this study was to find an alternative method for delivering of EPO to the brain to skip the blood brain barrier using design of new nanodrug delivery system. Then، anew cationic Gemini surfactant has been used in this study for preparation of EPO-loaded Gemini micelles. The physic chemical properties of nano micelles was investigated using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ζ-potential measurement، Morphology studies and in vitro drug release. Preparation of EPO loaded Gemini micelles results indicate that there are appropriate interactions between EPO drug and Gemini micelles and that of the EPO loaded in to the Gemini nanoparticles. DLS results display that size of the Gemini-EPO nanoparticle is smaller than 150 nm. Morphology studies results have further shown that، micelles (EPO-loaded) having smooth regular surface and the sizes of TEM micrograph were reported between 100-150 nm. Also، in vitro drug release results indicate that nanomicells (EPO-loaded) has been degraded in simulated early-time periods and released the drug into a simulated solution results also indicate decreasing stability structure of EPO-Gemini against temperature.In conclusion، the obtained results proposed that Gemini as a Nano carrier can bind to EPO with smooth surface micelles and size of 114 nm and can be considered as a candidate for drug delivery (EPO).

The Bio-Analysis Lab (with former name of Microanalysis Lab) was established in 1975 at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics، University of Tehran. Many research works and studies have been carrying out in this lab such as electrochemistry of proteins، design and development of nanoparticles for development of novel biosensors، structural analysis of proteins by electrochemistry development of enzyme/microbial biofuel cells. For these purposes، different electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and various imaging methods were used. In the present report، at first the direct electrochemistry of enzymes such as glucose oxidase، horseradish peroxidase، catalase، euphorbia latex amine oxidase، superoxide dismutase and horse heart cytochrome c were considered. Then، the methods for applying different types of macromolecules such as enzymes، antibodies، nucleic acids and aptamers for developing different types of optical and electrochemical biosensors were illustrated. At the end، some biocompatible nanoparticles for biomedical applications including cancer therapy and also application of some nanomaterials for improving the efficiency of biofuel cells were reviewed.